Students ask whether philanthropy still exists in Leeds

Is there any truth in the old jokes and clichés about tight-fisted Tykes? Visit
Leeds City Museum today to see what a group of young historians from Leeds University have found out.
Mark O'Brien reports

Modern philanthropy. Leeds students are asking: how far does it reach beyond the collection boxes? Photograph: Alamy

Yorkshiremen have always been famous for their prudence. That is of course putting it politely.

There's an old story of a group of old retired men walking through London's streets before chancing upon a bar where a sign stands outside: "All drinks 10p". They can't believe their luck, so they go inside and each man orders a pint.

The bartender tells them, "That'll be 10p each, please". The patrons eye one another in bewilderment. "How can you afford to serve your beer for 10p a pint?" one of them asks. "Well," says the barman, "I retired years ago. I always wanted to own a bar. Last year I won the lottery jackpot, and so I decided to open this place. Every drink costs 10p, whatever it is you want."

They look at the publican in astonishment, even admiration – and toast the old man. But as they drink they can't help but notice a group of dour-faced men at the other end of the bar who don't have any drinks in front of them and still haven't ordered anything.

It's an old stereotype that we're a stingy, curmudgeonly bunch, but one not necessarily true to experience – as a group of students at the University of Leeds has been exploring. This academic year, a group of history students was given free rein to study a topic of their choice about the heritage and culture of the city, to work across the community and to present their research to the public.

Today, Thursday 19 April, in the foyer of Leeds City Museum between 10am and 5pm, some of them will be showcasing their own research project, which asks the question 'Does philanthropy still exist in Leeds?'

These seven Leeds students suggest that far from the regional reputation of hard-nosed tightness:

Speaking to community and business figures here in Leeds over recent months, their research has encompassed a wide field of historical case studies – from the work of early Industrial Revolution industrialists such as John Marshall, through to the abiding charitable benefaction of the late Jimi Heselden.

Jimi Heselden of Leeds. He made a fortune and gave millions away. His foundation still does and will do for years. Photograph: Andy Paraskos/PA

But in more than a history project, they have explored what remains of the seemingly by-gone culture of philanthropy in the twenty-first century. Their research explores how the character of philanthropy has changed, and how modern-day corporate notions of social responsibility and sustainability succeed or fail in continuing and building upon that historic legacy.

This is the latest of many projects spearheaded by Leeds university to encourage their students to work outside the campus and explore the wider community. On Tuesday evening another group of history students presented the results of their 'public-facing' research project into the history and future of the Leeds Jewish community at The Zone in Moortown.

The group presenting on Leeds philanthropy is hoping to get some follow-up reaction today, and is asking for people to come along and see their work, as well as to share their own insights about how far philanthropy may have affected their lives and their communities.

The students cite Heselden, who said:

There are people out there who are making money, and when times are good I honestly believe people have a moral obligation to use their wealth to help others.